Ottawa, Ontario, August 26, 2011 – Government officials and library patrons joined the City of Ottawa today for a special ceremony to mark the official reopening of the Ruth E. Dickinson branch of the Ottawa Public Library.
This branch shares space with the Walter Baker Sports Centre and John McCrae Secondary School. Renovations included the addition of a second floor entranceway, a new borrower services counter, additional exterior wall book drops, a new staff lunchroom, and upgrades to all public washrooms to meet barrier-free standards. Information desks and self-checkout units on both floors were also relocated to increase ease-of-use. These improvements provide patrons of all ages and abilities with an updated venue for educational activities and the opportunity to benefit from Ottawa Public Library services.
“The Ruth E. Dickinson Library provides an important space where students, families, and other residents meet to share and learn,” said Pierre Poilievre, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and Member of Parliament for Nepean–Carleton. “The completion of this infrastructure project means they can continue to do so well into the future. The Government of Canada is proud to have been a partner in the renovation of this library.”
“The Ontario government is proud to have invested in this accessible modern library, which will continue to be a community hub where families can learn and grow for many years to come,” said Bob Chiarelli, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure and MPP for Ottawa West-Nepean. “Our government is making targeted infrastructure investments to build foundations for success and prosperity throughout our province."
“The City of Ottawa is thrilled to have invested in such a dynamic project.” said Mayor Jim Watson. “This branch is increasingly busy and is one of the few libraries that is connected to a school making it quite unique. It also serves a very diverse population and is a key meeting place in this wonderful neighbourhood.”
The governments of Canada and Ontario are each contributing one-third of eligible project expenses, up to a maximum of $183,333. The City of Ottawa is contributing the balance of the total eligible project cost of $550,000.
Federal funding for this project comes from the Government of Canada’s Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which is supporting over 4,100 infrastructure projects across the country.
This project supports Building Together, Ontario’s long-term infrastructure plan to repair, rebuild and renew the province’s roads and highways, bridges, public transit, schools and postsecondary institutions, hospitals and courthouses. Since 2003, the Government of Ontario has created and supported 600,000 jobs and invested $62 billion in infrastructure. Through Building Together, Ontario will continue to make significant investments in public infrastructure, starting with an investment of more than $35 billion over the next three years.
For additional information about investments in infrastructure, visit www.creatingjobs.gc.ca.
For further information about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For more information on how Ontario is revitalizing its infrastructure, visit ontario.ca/infrastructure.
Contacts:
Vanessa Schneider
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
David Salter
Office of MPP Chiarelli
613-298-9243
Eva Pigeon-Seguin
Communications and Community Relations
Ottawa Public Library
613-580-2424, extension 41307
Eva-Marie.Pigeon-Seguin@BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca
Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148
Or Toll-Free 1-877-250-7154
